ISLAMABAD, November 5, 2012: Starting an hour and 35 minutes behind schedule, the second sitting of 42th session of the Punjab Assembly witnessed low attendance as only 6% (22 of the total 371) MPAs were present at the outset and 8% at the adjournment due to lack of quorum pointed out by a Member of the PPPP.

Four Adjournment Motions were raised regarding the prison and education department, some of which were disposed of and/or pended till a later date.

Out of a total 27 questions on the agenda seven were raised on the floor of the house and five were responded to by the concerned ministry, while an additional 16 supplementary questions were also asked. The relevant minister was absent from the house.

The Chief Minister, the Deputy Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition and all the parliamentary leaders did not attend the assembly’s proceedings.

Sixteen Points of Order were raised during the sitting which consumed 24 minutes.

Following are some key observations of the parliamentary business:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Punjab Assembly met for two hours.
• The sitting started at 1135 hours instead of the scheduled starting time of 1000 hours. The proceedings started an hour and 35 minutes late.
• The Speaker chaired the sitting whereas the Deputy Speaker was not present.
• The Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition did not attend the sitting.
• The parliamentary leaders of the PML, MMAP, PMLZ and PMLF were not present.
• Twenty- two members were present at the start and 29 at the adjournment.
• Four minority members were present.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Only five out of 27 questions appearing on the agenda were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministry. Additionally, 16 supplementary questions were also asked.

Output

• No bills made it to the floor of the house.

Order and Institutionalization

• Sixteen Points of Order were raised during the sitting which consumed 24 minutes. One of the Points of Order attracted the Chair’s formal ruling.
• There were no instances of protests, boycotts or walkouts during the sitting.

Transparency

• Orders of the Day were available to legislators, observers and others.
• Information on Members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
• The quorum, visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting, was pointed out by a PPPP Member which led to the adjournment of the sitting.

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization, a member organization of FAFEN